Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu had spoken of his wish to keep Enrique, but now he must look for a new boss.

The news will immediately ignite speculation over who will succeed Enrique at the Nou Camp.

Sevilla’s former Chile boss Jorge Sampaoli is among the early favourites for the role.

Everton’s former Barcelona defender Ronald Koeman is another who has been linked with the job.

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has previously been linked with Barca.

There are likely to be no shortage of other candidates, with Arsene Wenger among them.

Arsenal boss Wenger is out of contract at the end of the season and says he will still be in management even if he leaves the Gunners when his current contract expires at the end of this season after 20 years in charge.

Bartomeu said on Barcelona’s official Twitter: “We accept Luis Enrique’s decision. He has been a great a coach. Now is it time to end his spell in the best possible way.

“Luis Enrique has brought us great success and he can still bring us more. The players are motivated to do it.”

Barcelona are still in three competitions this season, although they must overturn a 4-0 first leg deficit to Paris St Germain in the last-16 second leg.

Enrique said, in quotes reported by AS.com: “It’s a very difficult decision for me, one I’ve thought about a lot, but I think I need to be true to myself and fair to my way of thinking.

“In the pre-season I had a meeting with Albert Soler (Barca’s director of professional sports) and Robert Fernandez (Barca’s technical secretary) where I mooted the possibility that I might not renew my contract.

“They told me there was no rush to take the decision. That moment has arrived. I’m announcing it.

“The reason is I live my work looking for solutions and it gives me little time to rest.

“I’ll need a rest and that’s the main reason. I’d like to thank the club for the confidence they’ve shown in me over my time (here).